Kansas HB2685: Enacting the public official accountability act to provide personal liability for actions by public officials that violate constitutional rights or exceed such official's lawful duties

What the bill says

An act concerning public officials; enacting the public official accountability act; providing that public officials are personally liable for actions that violate constitutional rights or exceed such official's lawful duties.

From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:

AN ACT concerning public officials; enacting the public official accountability act; providing that public officials are personally liable for actions that violate constitutional rights or exceed such official's lawful duties. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the public official accountability act. The purpose of this act is to promote accountability in government by ensuring that public officials are personally liable for actions that violate constitutional rights or exceed such official's lawful duties without the shield of office for misuse or abuse. (b) As used in this act: (1) "Action outside of appropriate duties" means any conduct by a public official that is not authorized by law, exceeds the scope of such official's authority or constitutes misuse or abuse of office, including, but not limited, to corruption, discrimination or gross negligence; (2) "misuse or abuse of office" includes actions taken for personal gain, with malice or in reckless disregard of rights, as determined by a preponderance of the evidence; (3) "public official" means any elected or appointed officer, employee or agent of the state, any county, city or other political subdivision, acting in their official capacity, including, but not limited, to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators and administrative personnel; and (4) "unconstitutional …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Bill Rhiley (R) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
2. February 4, 2026: Referred to House Committee on Federal and State Affairs
3. February 4, 2026: Introduced

Common questions

What is HB2685?

HB2685 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Enacting the public official accountability act to provide personal liability for actions by public officials that violate constitutional rights or exceed such official's lawful duties.

What does HB2685 do?

In its own words: An act concerning public officials; enacting the public official accountability act; providing that public officials are personally liable for actions that violate constitutional rights or exceed such official's lawful duties.

What is the status of HB2685?

In committee as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Died in Committee (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2685?

Bill Rhiley (R).

Where is the official record for HB2685?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2685/